Since Sunday

I'm still sick...

Rory's not...

Ava's not...

So, I guess I better get my tail in gear and do a little blogging :-) I know all of you have not known what to do with yourselves exactly since my little hiatus. I can't thank my "fan club" enough for all the encouraging emails to continue motherly duties and wifely duties being sick as a dog.

Not to get off topic for a second, okay, well yes I want to go off topic for a quick flash.

Rory and I don't hold the traditional roles when it comes to being sick. To be quite honest with you, I'm not too sure my husband even believes in "sick days." I'm pretty sure this was instilled within him by West Point and the ARMY. Just because you're sick does not mean that the world stops...in his eyes. This is where we differ. Ya know, the husband is the one you hear about that sits on the couch and cries like the world is ending because he has a little cough...right? WRONG! This is totally me.

I'm confident in saying that since Rory and I have been together, every time I get sick...I declare death upon myself. I constantly whine and preach that "I'm dying...I'm sooo dying." Thank goodness for such an understanding husband. He looks at me with this sh*& eating grin that screams...YOOOOOUR NOOOT DYYYYIIINNNGG Dano! He has to pray every season change "please do not let my wife get sick because I don't want to hear her babbling."

Enough randomness about me :) On to the little one. We'll travel back in time to Sunday.

.SUNDAY.

We got up and went to church like good little kids. Actually, it was a dedication service that we were invited to. That doesn't matter to the Lord though, all that matters is that we went to church. After church there was a luncheon. Jump back about an hour. When we first got to church and dropped the diva off in the nursery, well, let's just say you could hear her screaming in the sanctuary. Enough said. The nursery worker did her best to calm the diva down...doooon't think that worked out to well. Okay, now jump forward an hour. So we sit down to eat our feast. The diva decides that she now cannot stay anymore than an arms length(a divas arms length) away from the nursery lady. It's cute at first. Kinda funny. Ava running thru the fellowship hall while people are eating lunch. She's screaming and laughing at the nursery lady (I'll call her NL from now on...can't really remember her name.) So NL plays with the diva smiling and laughing with her...NL does this for about 15 minutes. After that time period I'm convinced. Cute kids get ugly. NL has written all over her face "Time's up people...the free babysitting game is O-V-E-R...GET YOUR KID OFF OF ME!"

I got the drift. I got Rory and begged NL not to file a restraining order against the diva. She insisted that it is well. I prayed for her sake that "it is well with her soul!"

.MONDAY.

The diva said "baby." I mean she just didn't say baby...like little baby mumble talk. She actually said "baby" no different than you or I would say it. The kid can articulate and enunciate when she wants too. Which leads us to today.

.TUESDAY.

Days like today makes me wish I was a SAHM. I just have to accept that Rory and I won't be able to be with the diva 24/7 to experience her every milestone. I don't know if this really counts as a milestone but...the diva has learned her name. Apparently, she was walking around all day saying

"Ava *pause* O' *pause*Brien"

"Ava *pause* O'*pause*Brien"

This is huge for me! She is actually understanding and repeating words that she recognizes. What makes me feel even prouder to be her mom, is that the Montessori School is super impressed with her knowledge. I mean come on...if somebody told you that about your kid wouldn't you be in heaven? You totally would :) Don't rain on my parade :)

I'll eat it up while I can. She's got Italian and Irish blood in her. I know the day will come when I get called into the principals office because Ava beat up a boy in her class during Kindergarden Graduation...in front of everybody. I know that day will come and I'll be embarrassed. Until then I'll take what I can get :)

Just like anything in life. Take what you can get and don't ask for an ounce more.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
— Psalms 107.1

No Post

Sick Mom & Dad+Healthy Energetic Daugher=No post Today.

When Rory and I are feeling better I'll do an update.

Until then, we hope everybody had a wonderful weekend!

Under the Weather

Rory and I are both sick. My body aches and my throat is killing me. I thought after this tonsillectomy thing that I wouldn't have this problem anymore, hmmmm. Needless to say, Ava has been wonderful. It's so hard when you just want to lay down and rest but you have the little one to look after. I have to say...Rory is like freakin' Super Dad. He is not like the other 99% of men out there who get sick and act like they are on their death bed. Actually, now that I think about it...that would be me. Rory doesn't believe in sick days for himself. He still goes to work, gets up at 5am with Ava (she has decided not to acknowledge the time change) and he doesn't complain one bit when I ask him to get me medicine.

How did Ava and I get so lucky? I dunno, I'm still trying to figure it out. Apparently when we met, he was a little intoxicated...at least that's what he said at lunch yesterday. I was vulnerable, so I guess we're even ;)

Ava has been talking more and more everyday. She is doing really well with her sign language too. They use it a lot at school, so we try to do it as much as we can at home. And by that I mean...we usually only sign "milk" to her. Hey people...it's progress.

Can I just share one thing I love about Montessori? Ava has not bitten anybody in months. When Rory picked her up from school yesterday, apparently she has a "Bite Report." Of course I was not surprised when Rory brought it home and Ava was the one doing the biting. Not that I agree that it's okay for children to bite each other, but when you can't really talk to express your feelings and emotions then children tend to show how they feel in a physical manner...at least that's what the Montessori teacher believes. Hey, I'm game for that. I mean, it does make a lot of sense when you think about it in that manner.

I'm going to get back in bed and take a little nap. I just didn't want anybody to think that we've fallen off of the face of the earth.

BTW, if you live in the state of Georgia. Do not purchase anything online from Circuit City. They have already been liquidated and you will not receive your merchandise. Rory and I were there for 2 hours yesterday trying to pick up our new tv...the tv that apparently we will not be getting...and yes we've already paid for it! I did figure out that if you spend enough time at Circuit City "The City" you are liable to see the manager get hand cuffed and taken off in a patrol car, and see some old man have a heart attack. Boy did I do some praying after I left that store.

Phew, what a day. Okay I'm really going to take a nap now.

Enjoy your day!

Settle Down & Settle In

After a very busy weekend, I am happy to announce that we are officially in our new place. I love it! I'm pretty sure Rory and Ava do too. I don't know if it's because we're not around all the shenanigans of some specific Hawkinsville residents *coughs* or my body being tired from moving...BUT...I've gotten the best sleep in months! I'd like to think it's because now people will have no choice but to settle down and move on.

On to settling in...Libby is now an indoor dog. At first I was a little hesitant because Ava does not like to be in close quarters with animals; however, they both have done great. Libby steals Ava's fruit snacks when she's not looking and Ava plays in Libby's water when she's not looking. It's going to become a relationship made in heaven. Libby is even sleeping next to Ava's bed. What a good big sister :)

I wasn't able to do an update of Halloween so let me share a funny story, because in our house no such thing exists...ha ha! Rory and I took Ava trick-or-treating with some friends of ours. Remember, last year Ava was sick (and only 3 months old) so we didn't take her out. This was her first full Halloween experience. So, we go up to the first house and she's a little shy...a little cautious...takes her piece of candy and kinda tip toes away...

Clinging for dear life on Rory's leg! (at least that was my take of it)

Then we go to the second house and the third and fourth. The little one is a quick learner. By the fifth or sixth house she's grabbin' handfuls of candy. I mean she has this routine down pat! She's got the pep in her step and nothing is going to stop her.

I would like to say sorry to the elderly lady that only gave her one piece of candy (after she learned the "grap a handful and run" technique.) I apologize that Ava rolled her eyes at you. Actually no I couldn't help but laugh. She was the cutest little chicken you've ever seen and you only gave her one tootsie roll. You're forgiven.

Finally we get to our friends parents house and we're so excited to show them what Ava has learned. Ya know, she caught on so quick to just walk up and grab a piece of candy...or two...or four...or just a whole handful! Well my friends mom has a HUGE basket of candy that she sets on the ground to let Ava pick out what she wants.

She has her own little cheering squad behind her and we're all chanting "Ava show 'em what you learned!"

She waddles (yes, when you see her costume you'll understand) over to the basket, bends down, puts her basket down, sneaks over and takes off with the MOTHERLOAD basket of candy! It was the funniest thing you've ever seen, and oh what a bad mom I am for not having the camera!

Enjoy the new pics on photobucket :)